Microsoft and Nokia begin Symbian-to-Windows aid

The united smartphone groups Microsoft and Nokia have together launched a package of tools and documents to drive developers onto Windows Phone.

Developers with experience of Nokia’s mobile operating system, Symbian, can today read a series of online guides on how to port their work to the Windows Phone operating system.

The future of Symbian has become a matter of dispute, particularly since its owner Nokia reached a landmark deal with Microsoft to incorporate the Windows Phone OS across the Finnish firm’s range of smartphones.

Now Nokia is incentivising developers to turn their attention to Windows Phone, launching a comprehensive online guide (here) along with a Symbian-to-Windows API mapping tool (here).

Both Microsoft and Nokia will also take part in what’s called the “Nokia Windows Phone Training roadshow”; a series of developer tutorial events that begin today, in Paris, and will stretch across Europe and finish in Silicon Valley.

The series of tools, guides and events continues Microsoft’s untiring bid to become the big fourth player in smartphone business. The company has already launched a similar set of guides for iOS and Android developers.